The North Star uses McCoole’s for filming

Independant film The North Star used our facilities to film portions of the upcoming movie. Learn more about the movie below and make sure to look for our dining room when you go see it.

Press Release:

Preview Screenings Announced for Independent Feature Film THE NORTH STAR, Starring Jeremiah Trotter

With two upcoming sold out showings of THE NORTH STAR at The County Theater in Doylestown, PA, several preview screening opportunities have been announced at the historic Newtown Theatre in Newtown, PA.

The Newtown Theatre in Newtown, PA will host several preview screening opportunities to see The North Star on the heels of its twice sold-out shows at The County Theater in Doylestown, PA. There will be a special red carpet event with members of the cast and crew in Newtown on Saturday, May 4th, beginning at 3:30 pm, followed by a 4:30 pm screening, and a Q & A with Writer/Director Thomas K. Phillips, along with additional screenings throughout the week. The sold out shows at the County Theater are on Thursday, May 2nd, at 7:30 and 8:00 pm, with the red carpet events beginning at 6:30 pm. Presented by the Doylestown Historical Society, the Doylestown event will highlight the historic elements of the film along State Street prior to audiences entering the theater.

Jeremiah Trotter and other members of the cast and crew will be present at both events for the red carpet and Q & A after the screenings.

Written and directed by Thomas K. Phillips of Buckingham, PA, The North Star is the true story of Big Ben Jones, a slave in the 1840’s who makes a bold and courageous escape from a Virginia plantation all the way to Buckingham, PA, where he receives help from local Quakers. Ben Jones is played by former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter in his feature film debut. Clifton Powell (Ray, Norbit, Rush Hour, Friday After Next) is a producer on the film and is also featured in the cast along with co-star Thomas C. Bartley, Jr. Additional cast members include John Diehl (Pearl Harbor, Jurassic Park III, Stargate, Mo’ Money), Lynn Whitfield (HBO’s Josephine Baker Story), April Woodall (Broadway actress and vocalist), Keith David (Platoon, Crash, The Thing, ATL), blues musician Guy Davis (son of Ossie Davis & Ruby Dee), Christopher Mann (The Bourne Legacy, Blue Bloods, Duplicity, The Wire) and Alana Lee. The film has been scored by the father and son collaboration of jazz legend Ramsey Lewis and acclaimed producer and musician Frayne Lewis.

Shot in an astonishing 24 days throughout 14 locations, Bucks County, Pennsylvania and its deep history as a route on the Underground Railroad is featured prominently in the film, from state parks to private homes to historic sites including The Moland House, Plumstead Meeting, and the Hammerstein House.

A fitting backdrop, The Newtown Theatre played a particularly significant role as one of the locations. Phillips wrote a scene for the film in which abolitionist Frederick Douglass speaks to a crowd of enthusiastic supporters. The Newtown Theatre was a clear location choice as the real Frederick Douglass actually spoke there, creating an indelible link from the past to the present and now providing film audiences a truly unique opportunity to see history recreated right before their eyes. The Newtown Theatre dates back to 1831, and is considered the oldest continuously running movie theater in the United States. Originally built as a hall for town gatherings, the building evolved into a venue for live performances. During this time, anti-slavery meetings were held there, with such speakers as Lucretia Mott and Frederick Douglass.

In his director’s statement, Phillips says, “My wish is that The North Star will resonate positively with its audience, show the good of humanity in such a dark time in American history and shed light on the thousands of courageous individuals that took the perilous journey to freedom. I hope the film will create a dialogue with audiences about how people came together for the cause of abolishing slavery.” The filmmakers hope to bring The North Star to film festivals and schools and acquire a distributor once the final edits are complete.

The North Star is a LuckPig Studios production. Headquartered in Doylestown, PA, LuckPig is a new film and music production company owned by Executive Producers Dave and Tracey DeLellis. With The North Star as their first feature film, LuckPig Studios and Thomas K. Phillips are collaborating on several projects currently in development.

Q & A’s with cast and crew will take place after the screenings on May 2nd at The County Theater, and after the 4:30 screening at the Newtown Theatre on May 4th. Additional screenings will be held at the Newtown Theatre May 3rd – May 8th. In addition, the Doylestown Historical Society is hosting narratives and spoken word readings by members of the community each Saturday through April, in association with their correlating North Star exhibit. www.doylestownhistorical.org.